Phil Jones urges Man United to stay positive after derby loss
Manchester United defender Phil Jones urges his team-mates to keep their heads up after the derby loss on Monday night
Phil Jones has urged Manchester United to keep their heads up despite a demoralising loss to Manchester City on Monday night.
Sergio Aguero’s superb solo strike secured a 2-1 victory for the defending champions at Old Trafford, moving Roberto Mancini’s men back to within 12 points of United.
The Red Devils travel to Stoke City, who are fighting for survival, on Sunday, and Jones wants Sir Alex Ferguson’s side to get their title bid back on track at the Britannia Stadium.
“We have to keep our heads up as we are still in a fantastic position,” Jones told Manchester Evening News.
“The title race is not over but we are in a great position. The lads deserve an enormous amount of credit for putting us in that position and hopefully we can go on and win the league.
“We have to bounce back, get back on the training pitch and do what we do best and recover, and we will. Hopefully we will win on Sunday at Stoke and bounce back like we always do.”
Ferguson opted to start Jones at centre-half alongside Rio Ferdinand, and the youngster starred as he made a number of timely blocks to deny Carlos Tevez.
It was the 21-year-old’s header which was deflected past Joe Hart by Vincent Kompany to level the tie before Aguero’s winner, and the England international enjoyed his role in the heart of United’s defence.
“It’s irrelevant whether I score or not. As long as we win I don’t care, but we’ll have to wait and see,” he added.
“I enjoyed it at centre back. I enjoy playing for Manchester United wherever I play. I like playing centre-back and hopefully I can play a few more times before the end of the season.”
